That's what longtime friends and those who have worked closely with Fitchburg State University President Robert V. Antonucci say drives him in all of his efforts to make FSU "the number one state university," as he often declares.

Antonucci's passion for the region and for FSU began when he was growing up in Leominster, and then later as a student at then-Fitchburg State College.

"I think what drives Bob is a true love and passion for public higher education and a deep empathy for the students," said Peter Alcock, who was chairman of the FSU board of trustees at the time Antonucci was hired.

He called Antonucci's impact on the school "immeasurable."

"His leadership, in terms of moving forward substantial projects over at the college, both educational as well as the physical plant, have been unparalleled, frankly, in the school's history, and this during a time of very difficult economic circumstances for the state," said Charles Gelinas, a Leominster-based lawyer and longtime friend of Antonucci.

Former Sen. Robert Antonioni of Leominster said Antonucci has "an ability to relate to people which transcends politics and enables a cooperative and constructive relationship."

"The amazing thing about Bob is he hasn't lost an ounce of energy since he's been at Fitchburg State. In fact, his energy level has probably gotten even higher," said local developer Gregg Lisciotti, a former FSU board of trustees chairman and a member of the board that hired Antonucci.

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Lisciotti said Antonucci is a community builder who was able to forge a closer relationship among the administration, students and faculty.

"You see him around campus. He goes to every event he could possibly go to -- student government, just talking to students sitting out in the quad, various athletic events -- he's just everywhere," Lisciotti said.

"He's very student-centric," said Martin F. Connors Jr., president and CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust and a current member of the FSU board of trustees. "Everything is about the students in his decision-making."

"He knows all the students, all the students know him. Whenever I go to see him, there's always a student stopping by," said Carol Vittorioso of Leominster, current chairwoman of the FSU board of trustees.

She noted Antonucci was one of the leaders in the charge to overhaul the college into a university, along with the transformation of the entire state university system.

North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce President David McKeehan called Antonucci "one of the prime movers in this region."

He said Antonucci's leadership of FSU has turned the perception of the school around both locally and across the state. The impacts of his efforts are felt across the region, McKeehan said, with FSU being one of the area's largest employers.

"He's made the school part of the community," said United Way of North Central Massachusetts President Phil Grzewinski.

He called Antonucci "an incredibly caring individual" who has made FSU the "go-to place" for assistance with good causes, whether it's volunteers or simply making a facility available. Most recently, Antonucci -- who is currently the vice chairman on the United Way board of directors and will be chairman in the fall -- opened up the Wallace Civic Center for an event that resulted in the production of about 25,000 meals for local food pantries.

Leominster City Councilor Robert Salvatelli goes way back with Antonucci. They grew up on the same street in Leominster, began their teaching careers together in Lunenburg, and their families are even from the same region in Italy: Abruzzo.

Even with the prominence and accolades Antonucci enjoys now, he has never forgotten his humble roots, Salvatelli said.

"If he walked into a room and saw a senator or the governor, he would certainly acknowledge them, but if he saw a custodian next to him, he would probably approach the custodian first," Salvatelli said. "He's got no pretenses at all, none."

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